Trump Turnberry – three days at a legendary golf resort with 118 years of history

The phrase ‘bucket-list’ gets thrown around a lot in golf, but sometimes – like at Trump Turnberry - the classics are classics for a reason.

What’s the UK’s best golf resort? That’s a category with plenty of competition, and doubtless at least half a dozen venues would argue they deserve to top the list. One that has been in the discussion for decades is Trump Turnberry, so I headed to Ayrshire for an action-packed short break.

If you love golf, you’ve heard of Turnberry. The Edwardian hotel has been a Scottish landmark since 1906, and golf has been played here for even longer, most famously on the hallowed fairways of the Ailsa course.

However, the venue in 2024 is much changed from the one that stood here a century ago – or even a decade, for that matter. And those changes have made it even better.

Watch Rory's video review here, and scroll below to read more about Trump Turnberry’s full offering…

I can’t talk about what makes Turnberry great without first mentioning its setting, which is just over an hour from Glasgow Airport by car. Sprawled across 800 acres of Ayrshire countryside, the coastline forms the western border of the Turnberry grounds, creating unforgettable views out to the Irish Sea and Ailsa Craig – a looming island after which the aforementioned course is named. 

This is not only the site on which the famous King Robert the Bruce was born, but also home to the iconic Turnberry Lighthouse, built by the family of Robert Louis Stevenson more than 150 years ago. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better patch of golfing land.

King Robert the Bruce course: key facts

Robert the Bruce is also the namesake of Turnberry’s younger 18-hole layout, which celebrated its seventh birthday this July.

All 45 holes at Turnberry are classic links, and the King Robert the Bruce is no exception. This was once known as the Kintyre course until the renowned Martin Ebert transformed it. The track was in pristine condition for my visit and treated me to panoramic views across this jaw-dropping part of the world. Even without the vistas, it’s an exceptionally fun course and really doesn’t deserve to be overshadowed by its more prestigious sister. 

Ailsa course: key facts

Already considered among the country’s finest courses, Turnberry commissioned Ebert to rework the Ailsa a decade ago and elevated it to the upper echelons of every global ranking. It will soon be improved even further with changes coming up later this year.

This was the scene of four Open Championships, including the great ‘Duel in the Sun’ in 1977 between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. A plaque on the 18th fairway marks the position from which Watson took the decisive shot. There’s even a restaurant, the Duel in the Sun, that overlooks the course.

The Ailsa is a joy to play from start to finish, but if I had to pick a highlight it would be that picturesque stretch around the turn, where the course runs closest to the sea. Everyone has seen the famous par-3 9th, which plays over rocky water to a green beside the lighthouse, and playing it in the flesh lives long in the memory. There’s even an award-winning halfway house inside of the lighthouse which is accessible from both courses.

What other golf facilities are at Trump Turnberry?

I mentioned earlier that Turnberry is a 45-hole venue, so if you’ve been keeping count, you’ll know there’s a nine-hole layout, too. I’d never really played the Arran before, but it’s a really enjoyable 2,000-yard test and is not to be missed while you’re here.

Practice facilities are in abundance, with a state-of-the-art golf academy and driving range to hone all areas of your game. I particularly loved the putting areas, which are a rarity in my life – I usually avoid practicing like the plague. 

Lastly, I have to mention the ‘Wee Links’ pitch-and-putt in front of the hotel. It’s suitable for all ages, but don’t overlook this if there are no kids in your group – I have fond memories of playing the Wee Links with friends as the sun set on previous trips. 

What else can you do at Trump Turnberry?

You might expect Turnberry’s accommodation to look like an emperor’s private suite, but you’d be wrong. It’s much more luxurious than that. I was staying in a Deluxe King Room, a richly decorated masterpiece that blows many other five-star hotels I’ve stayed in out of the water. There was even a piper playing outside my window, another example of the distinctly Scottish touches that you’ll see all over the resort.

Dinner was served in 1906, Turnberry’s flagship restaurant that keen-eyed readers will have spotted shares its name with the hotel’s opening year. The food is as incredible as you’d expect – although there are two other restaurants on site, so you’re never short of options. 

You can also opt to stay in the nearby self-catering cottages if you prefer to prepare some of your own meals.

After dinner, I took a short walk to the Turnberry Spa to unwind. The centrepiece of this opulent facility is a heated infinity pool with yet more beautiful views of the coast, as well as everything from a jacuzzi and sauna to sensory showers. There are also treatment rooms with extensive menus if you’re so inclined.

While golf will understandably always be the main draw at Turnberry, it’s just one of many outdoor pursuits you can enjoy here. That’s thanks to Turnberry Adventures, a dedicated activity centre which really does have something for everyone. I didn’t have time to sample everything on offer, but I made a good fist of it. Animal lovers can get up-close and personal with horses and birds of prey, and you can explore the estate in off-road vehicles. I tried my hand at archery and clay pigeon shooting - with mixed results - but kayaking, kite surfing and paddleboarding are also on the menu.

Trump Turnberry: The Verdict

I was genuinely gutted when my last putt dropped and it was time to head to the airport. The only silver lining is that the Ailsa will – incredibly - be even better next time I visit. Of course, three stunning restaurants and the serene spa don’t hurt, but it’s the golf courses that make Turnberry truly special and worth visiting over and over again. That’s exactly what I plan to do.

What’s the UK’s best golf resort? Argue all you want – for me, there’s only one answer.